Brian Laws - Nottingham Forest Legend - A0, A1 or A3 Red & White Print
The Red's ever reliable right back and still a regular at The City Ground for radio commentary duties - with this print released on his 61st birthday - Brian Laws is enjoying Forest's recent successes almost as much as those he achieved in a Forest shirt himself.
Brian Laws: A Forest Legend Forged in the Clough Era
The Nottingham Forest career of Brian Laws is a tale firmly rooted in one of the club's most glorious periods. Unlike his later ventures into management, his time at the City Ground as a player was defined by consistent excellence, resilience, and integral contributions to a team that consistently challenged at the pinnacle of English and European football. His successes are those of a reliable and talented defender who was a cornerstone of Brian Clough's formidable side of the late 1980s.
Arrival and Instant Integration
Laws was signed by Brian Clough from Middlesbrough in the summer of 1984 for a fee of £100,000. He was brought in as a direct replacement for the legendary Kenny Swain and was tasked with filling the void at right-back. From the outset, he embodied the Clough philosophy: he was tough, uncompromising, professional, and possessed a ferocious shot that would become a trademark weapon. He seamlessly integrated into the squad, making the right-back position his own with a series of assured and combative performances.
The Success of Consistency and European Pedigree
Laws's primary success at Forest was his role as a mainstay in a team that consistently overachieved. Between 1984 and 1990, Forest were perennial contenders in the old First Division, often finishing in the top three and always challenging the dominant Liverpool and Everton sides of the era. This was no small feat, and Laws's defensive solidity was a key component. He formed a formidable defensive unit with the likes of Stuart Pearce, Des Walker, and Terry Wilson.
His game was built on defensive diligence, but it was augmented by a remarkable attacking threat. Famously, he scored a stunning 30-yard volley against rivals West Ham United, a goal that is still replayed in compilations of Forest's greatest strikes. This ability to contribute at both ends made him a hugely valuable asset.
The Zenith: League Cup Glory and Littlewoods Cup Triumph
The tangible pinnacle of Laws's Forest career, and the success that cements his legendary status, was his contribution to the club's League Cup triumphs.
· 1989 Littlewoods Cup Final: Laws was an essential figure in the team that reached Wembley. In a tense final against Luton Town, Forest emerged as 3-1 winners, with Laws putting in a typically resolute performance to help secure the trophy.
· 1990 League Cup Final: The following season, Forest defended their trophy, creating another iconic chapter in their history. The final against Oldham Athletic was a tight, nervy affair settled by a single Nigel Jemson goal. Once again, Laws was immovable in defence, playing in every round of the competition and helping to shut out Oldham at Wembley to secure the silverware. This back-to-back success was a monumental achievement, and Laws was a first-team constant throughout both campaigns.
Beyond the domestic cups, Laws was a regular in Forest's European adventures during this period. He experienced the highs and lows of UEFA Cup campaigns, representing the club with distinction on the continental stage and gaining valuable experience against Europe's elite.
A Crucial Role in a Golden Era
Brian Laws's Nottingham Forest career spanned 304 appearances, during which he scored 20 goals—many of them spectacular. His success was not that of a flashy superstar, but of a consummate professional who performed at a high level week-in, week-out for one of the best teams in the country. He was a player Clough could rely upon, a defender who embodied the team's spirit and quality.
When he left for Celtic in 1991, he did so as a club legend. His legacy is intrinsically linked to the trophies, the European nights, and the unwavering competitiveness of the Clough era. While his managerial spell at the club was brief and unsuccessful, his playing career remains a benchmark for commitment and quality. The successes of Brian Laws in the Garibaldi red are remembered not for a single moment, but for six years of exemplary service during the last truly great period in Nottingham Forest's modern history.
Ideal for autographing and framing.
Limited Edition of 250. Just 20 of A2, A1 and A0 sizes.
A3 shipped in cardboard backed envelope, larger sizes shipped in rigid tube.
